The Colosseum: UK World Record Event (Suggestions Phase)

2015-04-27 11:58:37 am

Intro:

Hey all, I'm an events manager for an arcade in London. I'm looking to run what I hope to be an annual event called The Colosseum in October/November this year.

The idea is to bring the best UK gamers together to take on the world's challenges and records. We want the event and attempt to be acknowledged by Guinness World Records (pending approval). If it isn't I still want to run this as it's something fresh and for the UK as we don't do a lot over here compared to the good ol' USA.

Check this video to see what we're all about here: https://www.facebook.com/gamesyouloved/videos/562816623861434/

Techs and Specs:

The venue is larger than shown in the video. We have a main gaming room and 2 smaller ones for consoles (we have about 18 set ups in them), Arcade room for cabinets, DDR room, Cinema room and an eating area. We have an outside area for smokers as well. We run large-scale tournaments such as 'Dat Smash Doe' (Smash Bros), 'Gutter Trash' (Street Fighter) and now Mortal Combat X. We've received coverage and critical acclaim from the likes of Channel 4, BBC and GinxTV.

We have a tech team who would be in charge of recording the event for a re-stream on Twitch. The location is an internet black spot so live streaming is not viable unless we did it from 1 computer. Our upload can't take more than 1 stream. Issue with 1 stream is down-time between set-ups and a plethora of problems can happen. Due to the internet speeds, we cannot accept applications for browser-based or online-based games.

We hold a library of games from Atari up to PS4, with classic arcade cabinets to boot. Those attending to attempt a record would be able to bring their own consoles/PCs, but we will supply the TVs. PCs would need to bring their monitors!

The most popular attempts would be moved to our 'main stage' - a 140 inch projector with sofas and surround sound, in our dedicated cinema room.

Costs and Entry:

Anyone attending to attempt a record would have nothing to pay (we usually charge £10 on the door for entry, and everything is free to play once inside).

You can sleep in the venue overnight which is free to record players (£5 for everyone else). We have a shower available as well, no need to get a hotel! Note we don't have beds and stuff, so sleeping equipment would be essential. Alternatively there is a hotel 5 mins walk from the venue.

Free parking is also available.

Applications:

We would release application forms to be received to my personal e-mail address to keep everything logged and organised. You'd be able to go for multiple records if you wished across as many games as you like.

To ensure we don't book slots for people who are pulling my leg about their skill or chances to beat a record, we would require proof that you have what it takes to take on the record. We'd accept pictures, but prefer video.

The invitation is open to non-UK residents.

Suggestions:

What do you think of the idea? Would you be interested in attending? Do you have any suggestions or ideas for the event? Could we raise money for a charity with the stream? I will consider everything posted. We are community-driven and want to work with you to make it the best it can be.

Thread title:

Intro:

Hey all, I'm an events manager for an arcade in London. I'm looking to run what I hope to be an annual event called The Colosseum in October/November this year.

The idea is to bring the best UK gamers together to take on the world's challenges and records. We want the event and attempt to be acknowledged by Guinness World Records (pending approval). If it isn't I still want to run this as it's something fresh and for the UK as we don't do a lot over here compared to the good ol' USA.

Check this video to see what we're all about here: https://www.facebook.com/gamesyouloved/videos/562816623861434/

Techs and Specs:

The venue is larger than shown in the video. We have a main gaming room and 2 smaller ones for consoles (we have about 18 set ups in them), Arcade room for cabinets, DDR room, Cinema room and an eating area. We have an outside area for smokers as well. We run large-scale tournaments such as 'Dat Smash Doe' (Smash Bros), 'Gutter Trash' (Street Fighter) and now Mortal Combat X. We've received coverage and critical acclaim from the likes of Channel 4, BBC and GinxTV.

We have a tech team who would be in charge of recording the event for a re-stream on Twitch. The location is an internet black spot so live streaming is not viable unless we did it from 1 computer. Our upload can't take more than 1 stream. Issue with 1 stream is down-time between set-ups and a plethora of problems can happen. Due to the internet speeds, we cannot accept applications for browser-based or online-based games.

We hold a library of games from Atari up to PS4, with classic arcade cabinets to boot. Those attending to attempt a record would be able to bring their own consoles/PCs, but we will supply the TVs. PCs would need to bring their monitors!

The most popular attempts would be moved to our 'main stage' - a 140 inch projector with sofas and surround sound, in our dedicated cinema room.

Costs and Entry:

Anyone attending to attempt a record would have nothing to pay (we usually charge £10 on the door for entry, and everything is free to play once inside).

You can sleep in the venue overnight which is free to record players (£5 for everyone else). We have a shower available as well, no need to get a hotel! Note we don't have beds and stuff, so sleeping equipment would be essential. Alternatively there is a hotel 5 mins walk from the venue.

Free parking is also available.

Applications:

We would release application forms to be received to my personal e-mail address to keep everything logged and organised. You'd be able to go for multiple records if you wished across as many games as you like.

To ensure we don't book slots for people who are pulling my leg about their skill or chances to beat a record, we would require proof that you have what it takes to take on the record. We'd accept pictures, but prefer video.

The invitation is open to non-UK residents.

Suggestions:

What do you think of the idea? Would you be interested in attending? Do you have any suggestions or ideas for the event? Could we raise money for a charity with the stream? I will consider everything posted. We are community-driven and want to work with you to make it the best it can be.

flicky

2015-05-03 11:21:22 am

$15 per rant/allegory

Hey, I'm going to write a longer post response about this later (with credentials and all that) but I've been to HoG, it's a cool place and I talked with some of the staff about speedrun stuff there a while back. Just one thing to say now, the odds of beating a record live is generally very slim. It has happened at marathons, but it normally means it wasn't a very well established record. The odds of a Zelda/Mario or anything like that being beaten live are next to none, so if that's the goal, it might be a good idea to scale back on it.

However, if it's a Guinness record for the run, then anyone who has played the game before can beat it. Those records hold no clout to us. They're always really out of date or just plain terrible and with poor rules. People will still come and have a good time at the event (the scene is very good at that) but the goal of records is a hard one to go for.

As I said, I'll probably make a longer post later with some thoughts and ideas, but I thought this should be shared now.

Hey, I'm going to write a longer post response about this later (with credentials and all that) but I've been to HoG, it's a cool place and I talked with some of the staff about speedrun stuff there a while back. Just one thing to say now, the odds of beating a record live is generally very slim. It has happened at marathons, but it normally means it wasn't a very well established record. The odds of a Zelda/Mario or anything like that being beaten live are next to none, so if that's the goal, it might be a good idea to scale back on it.

However, if it's a Guinness record for the run, then anyone who has played the game before can beat it. Those records hold no clout to us. They're always really out of date or just plain terrible and with poor rules. People will still come and have a good time at the event (the scene is very good at that) but the goal of records is a hard one to go for.

As I said, I'll probably make a longer post later with some thoughts and ideas, but I thought this should be shared now.

Judgy

2015-05-03 11:54:29 am

Borderlands 2 Glitch Hunter/ router.

yeah true and Some GWR Records are completely wrong for Example in the 2014 Gamers edition of their book it states the record for Borderlands 2 completion is just under 2 hours ... what they don't say is that was on a lvl 61 character on the first playthrough (enemies level 1 - 32) They decide to make their own categories and if they compare to what they already have down to that of a legit category which is timed at 2:15:00~ then a REAL WR would be neglected.

Also what Flicky said holds true if the aim is "world records" then the ending result will be lack-luster. live events and "WR" don't go hand-in-hand, hence safety strats for events specifically being refered to as "Marathon Strats"

HoG Richard

Edit history:

HoG Richard: 2015-05-04 01:18:38 am

2015-05-03 11:56:50 am

Thanks for the feedback Flicky and Judgy. I appreciate you taking the time to put you thoughts forward!

Yeah, we do literally only expect 1 or 2 to be beaten over the duration of the event (I'll be going for at least 1 myself), but could possibly set a record for most records beaten at 1 time. I used to Time Trial Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing (won the 2010 world Championship so I know how record-beating in 1 session goes, it's unlikely). The entire idea is still in the suggestions phase, and I'm happy to change the direction to suit everyone's thoughts. We could even instead turn it into a normal marathon, everything has yet to be decided.

*EDIT*

I forgot to mention that I would prefer to go for records that the speed run community think are good. If Guinness have no standing with you guys, I'm happy to skip them to focus on what you believe are real records. This event is all about you so getting it right is important!